Jesus ascended and sat next to the father before the crucifixion event according to the Bible

 

Another passage that is frequently discussed is Matthew 26:63–64, where Jesus stands before the high priest during his trial.

The high priest asks Jesus directly:

"I adjure You by the living God, tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." (Matthew 26:63)

According to this interpretation, the title "Son of God" should be understood in its biblical context. As argued previously, the expression "Son of God" is used throughout the Scriptures for Adam, Israel, David, and others whom God chose or favored. Therefore, it is argued that the high priest's question is whether Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ), God's chosen servant, rather than whether he is claiming to be God Himself.

Jesus replies:

"You have said so." (Matthew 26:64)

In the parallel account in Mark 14:62, the response is recorded differently, with Jesus saying:

"I am."

Because the Gospel accounts differ in their wording, some point to this as an example of variation in the way Jesus' response was transmitted. For the purpose of this discussion, however, the focus is on Matthew's account.

After answering the high priest, Jesus continues:

"Nevertheless, I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)

Particular emphasis is placed on the phrase "the Son of Man." According to this interpretation, Jesus shifts from speaking in the first person to referring to "the Son of Man" in the third person.

This is contrasted with passages such as John 16:5, where Jesus says:

"But now I am going to Him who sent Me."

There, Jesus is clearly speaking directly about himself in the first person: "I am going."

In Matthew 26, however, the wording is different:

"You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power."

From this perspective, it is argued that Jesus is not making a direct declaration about himself in the same manner as he does elsewhere. Instead, he refers to the Son of Man, and proponents of this interpretation argue that this distinction should be taken into account when considering the passage.

Furthermore, they note that Jesus says the Son of Man will be "at the right hand of Power." They argue that being at the right hand of God signifies a position of honor and authority granted by God, rather than identity with God Himself. Throughout the Bible, sitting at someone's right hand is understood as occupying a place of distinction, not becoming the person whose right hand one occupies.

Based on this reading, proponents conclude that the passage identifies Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of Man whom God has honored and exalted, but not as God Himself.